Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

The next day, Fang Zheng set off with the gramophone.

Before departing, he didn't bother with Hong Yao, Lu Liu, or Zhou Dahai anymore.

Previously, he was afraid they would cause trouble, so he had been tormenting them relentlessly. Now that it was time to close the net, there was no need to put in so much effort.

He simply called Hong Yao and Lu Liu into the room, tied them up securely, and then threw them into the woodshed.

As for Zhou Dahai, he had been left in the corner of the bedroom without anyone paying attention. Fang Zheng hadn't slept in that room last night either.

When he arrived at Yongqing Restaurant, Wei Shan was already waiting at the entrance.

As soon as he saw Fang Zheng, he greeted him warmly.

Upon meeting, Fang Zheng whispered, "Is it safe here?"

Wei Shan replied, "Don't worry, sir. Everyone here is one of us, including Yongqing Restaurant. It's very safe! Follow me."

After speaking, he led Fang Zheng upstairs.

Many people were already seated in the private room on the second floor. Liu Xun was there, of course, as well as the grain chief from the granary, the prison warden in charge of lawsuits, the secretary managing documents, and several familiar clerks sitting in the corner.

In addition, there were also two people dressed as wealthy merchants.

Fang Zheng clicked his tongue inwardly.

Half of the institution had been infiltrated. It seemed he couldn't be too ruthless. If he killed them all, the government office would be almost unable to function normally.

He couldn't possibly arrange for a few officials to take their place, could he?

That would be no different from rebellion. If the emperor found out, he would chop off heads from top to bottom...

When Liu Xun saw Fang Zheng arrive, he stood up and said to the crowd, "Come! This is the Jianjiang Vice Magistrate, Lord Fang! Many of you may not know him."

"Lord Fang has come all the way from the capital and is a distinguished guest of the Crown Prince. Everyone, greet Lord Fang."

A group of people stood up in a flurry, greeting Fang Zheng one after another.

Fang Zheng smiled and returned the greeting with a cupped fist.

His heart was already on alert. Some of these people were looking at him with the wrong kind of eyes.

He usually had that kind of look when he was plotting against others during meetings in Taoyuan County. It seemed this old dog wanted to set him up.

But it didn't matter anymore... In less than an hour, the lives of everyone present would be out of their own hands!

After the greetings were exchanged, Liu Xun continued, "Today, everyone here is a friend. There is no distinction between superiors and inferiors. Feel free to speak your mind."

"Come, Lord Fang, sit next to me. I've saved a seat for you."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony!"

Fang Zheng revealed a smile.

Old thing, I was worried that the recording effect wouldn't be good. If you're seeking death yourself, I won't stop you!

Then, he strode towards Liu Xun and sat down beside him.

Seeing Fang Zheng holding a box, Liu Xun asked curiously, "Oh? Why did you bring a box? What's inside?"

"Oh! This box is quite interesting," Fang Zheng generously placed the box on the table, opened it, and took out the gramophone.

"Recently, a high monk has appeared in the city, named Dharma Master Huijue."

"This object is a Dharma artifact that has been blessed by Dharma Master Huijue, called a prayer wheel!"

"When this prayer wheel is turned, foreign scriptures will appear on it, which can bless the holder and make their wishes come true!"

"I brought this object today to share the blessings with everyone!"

Liu Xun looked at the gramophone with great curiosity: "I didn't expect Lord Fang to have studied Buddhism. This Dharma artifact looks like nothing I've ever seen before."

Fang Zheng smiled and said, "I have quite a bit of research on Buddhism. This object came from a foreign land, and it is said to have been passed down by a tantric monk who practiced in Tianzhu."

"This object is extremely precious! I spent three thousand taels of silver to obtain it!"

The crowd couldn't help but look at Fang Zheng with disdain.

Tianzhu? What is that? I've never even heard of it!

A tax on intelligence! Definitely a tax on intelligence. He must have been tricked by the monk.

Liu Xun didn't think too much about it. He had heard Fang Zheng talk about all kinds of strange place names before, and he had never heard of them either, but they didn't seem fake.

It was probably just some unknown small foreign country. The Crown Prince was famous for being playful, and since he was by the Crown Prince's side, he must have seen a lot of strange things.

"That's very good. Lord Fang is very thoughtful."

Fang Zheng nodded: "I will turn this prayer wheel while everyone is talking. With the blessing of the Buddha's treasure, wouldn't we be able to achieve twice the results with half the effort!"

"That's right! Lord Fang is very considerate!"

The crowd couldn't help but smile and echo. Everyone was smart, and they didn't think much of this kind of thing, but after all, Fang Zheng's official position in the bureau was still quite high.

So, everyone was willing to take the opportunity to flatter him.

Seeing that Liu Xun had all the personnel in place, he knocked on the table.

"Alright, everyone, let's talk about serious business first."

Fang Zheng put his hand on the crank and began to crank it expressionlessly.......

"The general situation of why I called you here today, I presume you all understand."

"The grain disaster is now intensifying. If it continues, and civil unrest breaks out, I'm afraid we won't be able to explain it to the imperial court."

"However, two major sects have appeared outside the city, namely the Zizai Sect and the Tieyi Sect. These two sects are taking advantage of the disaster to recruit disaster victims as followers, spreading rumors and causing trouble!"

"Fortunately, this official has already investigated and secretly placed an informant in the Tieyi Sect. The Tieyi Sect leader, Chen Dasheng, has also been bought off by this official."

"Tomorrow, this official will order Chen Dasheng to take the initiative to attack the Zizai Sect! Let the two tigers fight, and we will take the opportunity to wipe out the remaining rebels."

After cranking for a while, Fang Zheng stopped with a helpless expression.

Dealing with these dog officials in the officialdom was extremely difficult. They never spoke directly and relied entirely on charades.

Sending silver was not called sending silver, but implied by eating.

Now, Liu Xun's words were watertight, making it impossible to find fault with them. The length of the silver foil for recording was limited, and recording this section was a waste.

After thinking about it, Fang Zheng decided to take the initiative and cranked the handle, interjecting, "Then, Lord Liu, didn't you say you arranged for someone to burn the granary? When will the granary be burned?"

Everyone's eyes immediately focused on Fang Zheng.

Like looking at an idiot!

You little brat, don't you understand the rules? Asking so bluntly makes us look like we're doing something bad. It's not dignified!

Liu Xun coughed awkwardly twice: "Lord Fang's words are really straightforward..."

"Don't worry, don't be anxious! This official has already arranged for someone to burn the granary. As soon as the chaotic battle begins tomorrow, I will immediately order the granary to be set on fire."

"At that time, the moldy rice in the granary will be reduced to ashes, leaving no evidence!"

Fang Zheng smiled and continued to ask: "Then... what about the good rice inside? What should we do?"

Everyone looked at Fang Zheng again like he was an idiot.

What else could they do? Of course, they would transport it out in advance! Take it out and sell it! That was all silver!

Liu Xun shook his head helplessly.

What's wrong with this damned Fang Zheng! It's like he's not thinking before he speaks today!

"This... of course, the good grain will be transported to the Sifang, Tongda, and Guanglai rice shops. Let me introduce you."

As he spoke, Liu Xun pointed to two people in fancy clothes: "This is the famous Wang Qixun, the head of the Wang family in the city. Sifang Rice Shop is under the Wang family's name."

"This is Sun Jiacheng, the head of the Sun family. Tongda and Guanglai rice shops are the Sun family's property."

Sun Jiacheng and Wang Qixun stood up and cupped their hands towards Fang Zheng.

Fang Zheng also stood up and returned the greeting with cupped hands, then sat down, looking at the gramophone while asking: "I wonder how much rice the rice shops under the two family heads have stolen... oh no! How many shi of rice have they exchanged in total?"

The two men's faces were a little unsightly... Are you doing this on purpose!

Then they looked at Liu Xun somewhat at a loss. These were secrets, should they tell him?

Liu Xun raised his hand to signal the two to sit down, then smiled: "Everyone, don't be restrained. From now on, Lord Fang is one of us. You can talk about anything."

"This government can tell you, excluding the batch of grain in the capital, a total of thirty thousand shi!"

Fang Zheng looked surprised! Seeing Liu Xun's eyes constantly glancing at the gramophone in his hand, he stopped his actions.

Then he pushed the gramophone towards Liu Xun: "Come, Lord Liu, try this."

Liu Xun naturally took the gramophone, grasped the crank, and began to crank it.

Old Qi's craftsmanship was awesome. I don't know how he did it, but this thing even had a bit of damping, and it was quite decompressing to crank.

Liu Xun said as he cranked: "Tomorrow, when the two sects are fighting, Chen He, the prison warden, will take people to guard the granary, to prevent cunning people from sneaking into the granary to steal grain during the chaos."

"If they find unfamiliar faces, immediately imprison them! If he discovers any clues, execute them on the spot!"

"Assistant Magistrate Song will prepare the memorial in advance, and send someone to the capital immediately after the civil unrest ends."

"The rest of the people, Gao Hui, Tang Shi... will all perform their duties according to this official's arrangements."

After arranging for the personnel present, Liu Xun stopped his actions and looked at Fang Zheng.

"As for Lord Fang......."

Seeing the opportunity, Fang Zheng quickly pulled the gramophone to his side and continued to crank it.

Liu Xun gave him an impatient look.

What is this! Is he sick? Giving you some face, and you're really cranking it endlessly.

Seeing that he wasn't speaking, Fang Zheng smiled shyly: "Please speak, Lord Liu."

Liu Xun suppressed the unhappiness in his heart, silently reciting that he would be dead tomorrow.

He smiled and said: "As for Lord Fang, tomorrow, when we go out of the city to wipe out the remaining rebels, I will send Wei Shan and other guards to accompany you."

Wei Shan immediately stepped forward, walked to Fang Zheng's side, and grinned at him.

"Wei Shan has been with me for many years and is highly skilled in martial arts...."

"Dong... Dong... Dong...."

Halfway through Liu Xun's words, several faint muffled sounds suddenly came from the door.

"What's that sound?"

Fang Zheng quickly interrupted: "Hey! Lord Liu, continue speaking! How is Wei Shan?"

"Oh, Wei Shan is highly skilled in martial arts, and he can keep you safe by your side!"

Fang Zheng warily glanced at Wei Shan.

This kid doesn't look big, but I didn't expect him to know kung fu.

If he smashes the cup as a signal, I'm close by and it would be terrible if he captured me. I have to be on guard.

“This humble official thanks Lord Liu for your kind intentions!” As he spoke, Fang Zheng stood up and felt Wei Shan's chest.

“Oh, your pectoral muscles are quite developed!”

Wei Shan's whole body tensed up, and he forced a smile, unconsciously shuffling back a couple of steps.

Liu Xun felt a chill and quickly moved his stool.

Then Liu Xun stood up, picked up his teacup, and said, “Once this matter is concluded! We can all be considered to have successfully retired!”

“From today onwards, you all must restrain yourselves in your actions, otherwise, this府 will not be able to answer to the Imperial Court!”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

“Come, come, everyone raise your teacups, let's use tea in place of wine. After tomorrow's battle, it won't be long before Lord Fang returns to the capital. Let us celebrate for Lord Fang in advance!”

Fang Zheng stopped the movement of his hands and picked up the box beside him.

He carefully placed the phonograph into the box, then, carrying the chair, he walked to the corner of the wall, placed the chair down, and steadily put the box in the corner under the chair.

Everyone held up their teacups, watching his strange movements with varied expressions on their faces.

Liu Xun and Wei Shan also stared at him with disdain.

A dying man, let him do whatever he wants!

..........

Brothers, to ensure the story is complete, today's three chapters are combined into two. There is no third chapter, but the amount is the same!